Michael Rosen
Michael Rosen was born in London on 7 May 1946. His parents, who were both teachers and distinguished educators, were part of the East End Jewish community, their parents and/or grandparents having come from eastern Europe. Michael was educated at various state schools in Pinner, Harrow and Watford before going on to begin a medical course at Middlesex Hospital Medical School. After only a year at Middlesex, Michael left and moved to Wadham College, Oxford University, where he initially continued his medical studies before transferring to a degree in English Language and Literature. While at Oxford, Michael was heavily involved in writing, acting in and directing student theatre. In 1974 his first book of poems for children, Mind Your Own Business, was published marking the start of a hugely prolific career as a published writer and poet.
Since 1976, Michael has continued to do a mixture of writing, performing, teaching, lecturing and broadcasting. He regularly visits schools and arts festivals, as well as teaching at London Metropolitan University, working at BBC radio in London and Bristol, and more recently reviewing books and writing articles for The Guardian newspaper in London. In 2007, Michael was appointed the Children's Laureate.
Selected bibliography
- Macbeth United (2020), Scholastic
- On the Move: Poems About Migration (2020), Walker Books
- The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War II (2020), Walker Books
- What is Politics? Why Should We Care? And Other Big Questions (2019), Wayland Books
- What is Right and Wrong? Who Decides? Where do Values Come From? And Other Big Questions (2018), Wayland Books
- Who are Refugees and Migrants? What Makes People Leave Their Homes? And Other Big Questions (2016), Wayland Books
- Jelly Boots, Smelly Boots (2016), Bloomsbury
- What is Humanism? (2015), Wayland
- Uncle Gobb and the Dread Shed (2015), Bloomsbury
- Unexpected Twist: An Oliver Twisted Tale (2013), Scholastic
- Michael Rosen's A to Z: The Best Children's Poetry from Agard to Zephaniah (2009), Puffin
- What's So Special About Shakespeare? (2007), Walker Books
- You Wait Till I'm Older Than You (1996), Puffin